If you’re looking for a free way to increase visibility for your insurance or financial services, you need to claim your Google Business Profile. It’s one of the easiest things you can do to stand out in your community.
What Is a Google Business Profile?
A Google Business Profile lets businesses manage their presence in Google Search and Google Maps. It used to be known as Google My Business.
You can use a Google Business Profile to:
- Make sure your business information is accurate. When people want to know more about your business – such as your location, phone number, or hours – they may use Google Search. If the information that appears is outdated or incorrect, they may become frustrated, which could mean you miss out on business. With a Google Business Profile, you can keep your information up to date.
- Boost your visibility. When people search online, you want to be sure they can find your business. A Google Business Profile is a great way to ensure your business is highly visible. You can include links to your website and social media to direct prospects there.
- Interact with clients. You can encourage clients to post reviews on your Google Business Profile and reply to those reviews.
- Highlight your services. You can list your services and even upload videos and photos to cast your business in the best possible light.
The best part of Google Business Profile? It’s free. Since all it takes is a tiny bit of your time, there’s no excuse not to use this great tool for your business.
How to Sign Up for a Google Business Profile
To sign up for your Google Business Profile, you’ll need a Google Account. You can use a Google Account associated with any email address and can even link your company email address to your Google Account. In fact, Google recommends this as the easiest way to make your Google Business Profile.
Follow these instructions to create a Google Account, if you don’t already have one.
Follow these instructions to sign into your Google Account with another email address.
To add or claim your business, go to https://business.google.com/create and type in the name of your business. If you can’t find it, click on the option to “Add your business to Google.” You’ll need to enter some information about your business, including its name and business category. Follow the step-by-step instructions until you’ve completed the process.
Maintaining Your Google Business Profile
Once you have a Google Business Profile, you won’t need to do much to maintain it. However, you should check in occasionally to make sure there are no problems with it.
- Check your reviews. Before you reply – especially to a negative review – make sure you behave professionally. A rude or combative reply may make your business look worse, not better. Google advises business owners to keep replies short, simple, professional, and polite. You may decide to reply to a negative review by apologizing for the bad experience or by requesting more information to make things right. Do NOT attack the reviewer or share his or her private information. You don’t have to reply to every reviewer.
- Flag inappropriate content. If you have an inappropriate review, report it to Google. Examples of inappropriate reviews include ones that are spamming their own products or services or that include profanity. (A negative review is not necessarily inappropriate!)
- Update your business information. If you change your hours, services, phone number, location, or website, update the information on you Google Business Profile immediately. To make sure you don’t forget anything, it’s a good idea to review your profile periodically. You can also keep your profile fresh with new photos.
Claiming your Google Business Profile is an easy way to market your business. Need more marketing support? DIS has you covered! Click here for client handouts, ready-to-use social posts, a sales script, and more.